OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 275, 24 February 1941, Page 5

OBITUARY

MRS R. RUDDICK WELL KNOWN TANEATUA RESIDENT With the death of Mrs R. Ruddiek, of Taneatua, there passes from the community a resident of long standing a»d£ one who had in her many years In the district earned the high esteem of all with whom she dame in contact. Thet district will be much poorer by her loss.

Mrs Ruddick,. who passed away at a private hospital, Auckland, on Thursday last had not been in th« best of health for some time having a serious illness in 1939, but recovering from that to enjoy quite good health until she passed away somewhat unexpectedly.

The late Mrs Ruddick came to the Taneatua district ift the year 18!)S with her parents, Mrs and the late Mr Martin, their arrival in the Bay being just two years after the Awakeri block was sub-divided. The late Mr Martin farmed in the district until 1917 and then moving to Taranaki. He had had a varied farming career, having been in the industry in the Chatham Islands, Mataura Island, Dunedin. Mrs Martin survives her daughter being at present at the age of 83 years and in residence with her daughter, Mrs Phelan at Heme Bay, Auckland.

The late Mrs Ruddick, however, spent her whole life from 1898 in the Taneatua district and took an active and leading interest in all activities for the betterment of the centre. She Avas prominent as a member of the Presbyiterian Church and such organisations as the W.D.F.U., P. W.M.U., Croquet Club and many other social activities.

Sha leaves her husband and three sons, Len, who is at Taneatua,

Maurice, who at present is in camp at Waiouru, and Richard, who is serving with the Middle East Forces. Coming from - a large family of eleven, Mrs Ruddick is survived by a number of brothers and sisters, namely, Mrs Livingstone (Mt Eden, Auckland), Mrs Phelan (Auckland), Mrs G. Wilson (Grey Lynn, Auckland), . Mrs E. Wilson (Mangere), and Messrs G. Martin (Rotorua). A?an Martin (Opotiki), Sid Martin (Hamilton East), Len Martin (Rangitaiki). One brother, Mr Henry Martin, was killed in action in 1915.

The funeral took place at Tancatua on Saturday afternoon their being a very large following, at the graveside. The services at the church and the graveside: were conducted by the Kev. Mr Stuart, of Taneatua, while the pail bearers were Messrs Len Martin, Allan Martin,, W. L. Richardson, T. Davies, J. Dunstan, A. F. McGougan. MR W. 3. A. ("GUS") WANNOP

LONG SERVICE WITH LANDS

DEPARTMENT The death on Monday of Mr W. J. A. ("Gus") Wannop, of Thornton, removes one who had been associated with the Land Drainage Department practically since the inception of the department's drainage scheme on the Rangitaild Plains about 30 years ago. Mr Wannop was a mechanical engineer by trade and as a young man had worked in engineering establishments in Auckland, and as a marine engineer an scows trading out of Auckland. When the Lands Department began the great task of straightening the Rangitaild and Tarawera Rivers and draining the swamps nearly 30 years ago Mr Wannop came; to Malata, which was then the department's headquarters at the old mouth of the Rangitaild River.

Mr Wannop was in charge of one of the first dredges working on the

Tarawera River,

As the activities of the Lands Department expanded and more and more machinery was put into service Mr Wannop took charge! of the department's workshop. About 25 years ago he came to reside with his family at Thornton, where the Department's headquarters was established following the diversion of the Rangitaiki River to its present mouth. In his capacity; as mechanical engineer to the Lands Department, Mir Wannop was kept busy servicing the dredges and other machinery with which 4he department constructed the drainage canals that converted the swamps into larm lands. His workshop in the village (Continued foot next column).

of Thornton was for years a scene of great activity, and "Gus" Avas a popular personality with the men jn the department's employ and surrounding settlers. He Avas highly rated as a mechanical engineer, ami esteemed as a kindly and genial friend by all who came in contact with him.

For a number of years Mr Wannop had not enjoyed the best of health. He retired from the service of the Lands Department about five years ago, but continued to reside in the township of Thornton in the home Avhich he built adjoining the Thornton School. Mr Wannop served on the Thornton School Committee and Avas chairman a feAV years ago. He is survived by Mrs Wannop, one daughter, Mrs R. McDonald, of Thornton, and onei son, Mr Cecil Wannop, formerly of Whakatane and noAV of Tauranga. There was a large attendance at the funeral at Whakatane Cemetery on Wednesday. Many cars formed the cortege outside his late residence at Thornton, and thence proceeded to the cemetery. Those present included preseint and past employees of the Lands Department, and many of the older settlers of the Thornton and Matata districts.

The Rev. S. G.'Caulton read the burial service while the pall bearers Avere friends of long standing, Messrs J. Piers, T. Dudson, J. Dockray,, T. Dockray,, J. Russell, and H. F. McDonald.